Lennon was actually lamenting the whole "Culture of Celebrity" and how people place more importance on favorite bands, actors, sports stars, etc.

All I have to say on the matter is did Jesus write Blue Jay Way, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Strawberry Fields, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Taxman, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, I Am The Walrus, Yesterday, Revolution 9 and/or A Day In The Life?

Well then. Not only are The Beatles bigger than Jesus, they deserve to be (I suspect Lennon was querying that).

Meh. It's like the whacked out paranoia over Harry potter a few years back. A whole bunch of people who've never read them think they are satanic. It's ridiculous.

Speaking as an Englishman we just thought it was funny , we Brits where not offended , perhaps a few relgious nuts got hot under the collar who knows. I remember it well it was a non event. Luckily a few years later I was in London and John lennon pulled up in his phycodelic painted Rolls Royce

I believe he was lamenting over over-zealous fans with the comment, (paraphrasing) "you'd think I was bigger than Jesus". In any case, apologies for our white trash.

Technically, the Beatles are bigger than Jesus because four is always bigger than one plus we know they exist.

You’ll notice that it was short lived, advertised by the establishment, and carried out by short haired, slack wearing straights that we’re being manipulated by their narrow minded parents, priests and reverends. It lasted a blink of an eye and the Beatles sales continued to soar.
Embarrassing? Yes. But only for the assholes who participated in it.

The reaction to Lennon was largely a southern state phenom but there was some overlap in the northeast. One notable event was their 2nd shea stadium show did not sell out as a few other concerts also did not totally sell out. But is was the bible belt who made the most noise which tells me nothing has changed down there over the years. They were extreme then and still are except they used to vote for Dems..but for some inexplicable reason think that Republicans are people of God..though all of their actions prove otherwise. Lennon took a big hit for the comment but remember, it was less than 2 years later he released the famous album cover showing full frontal nudity...which finally proved unequivocally that he was, in fact, 'bigger' than Jesus

The press took it out of context. What John said was true.